Not only is remote disconnect incorporated into meters, but add-on collars allow us to retrofit existing meters by inserting them between the meter and socket. The list of risk items associated with remote-disconnect doesn't include "taliban attack" because it's assumed that the server controlling remote disconnects is as secure as the server that processes credit card information. We dont list it because its a standard IT delimma, not a remote disconnect specific danger.
The purpose of remote-disconnect is to quickly and effectively remove service from people who dont pay for its use, using the least amount of employees possible. Here's a newsflash for you, remote disconnect or not, if you don't pay your bill I will send a lineman to shut you off. It will be done today. We called you twice, sent the letter as required by law, probably even left a door hanger. If you are home when the lights go out, you can pay the lineman cash or check and hell be back tomorrow to turn you back on. We have to make sure your check clears, that you paid enough to be current etc.
With remote disconnect you can call the office with a cellphone as soon as the lights go out, pay with a credit card and I'll turn you back on in 10min. In addition, remote disconnect allows us to offer a new service called "pre-paid power" you pay us $100 and you can use $100 worth of electricity then you are disconnected. Remote disconnected allows us to work out a deal with your grandfather, well turn on the irrigation pivot at his farm at a time he specifies, and leave it running for as along as he can afford. He doesnt have to leave the golf course, or stop watching the grandkids to attend to watering the back 40.
The connect/disconnect fees remain, we have to pay for the phone calls, voicemails, letters, door-hangers, remote disconnect collar, bandwidth, and inside office staff that spend all day hassling you over $50. This fee is also to punish you for violating your contract with us, which stated you would require our service and pay for its use. Some outfits have lowered the fee to reflect the loss of the lineman in this chain because their pay is a considerable expense.
The "survival level" is set by a federal commission and overseen by a smaller state commission, and our lending institution's power of the purse. If we dont follow the rules on disconnect notification and survival levels we would be fined, lose our charter, or our bank would refuse to loan us operating money.
Nothing has changed here, except we turn you off faster when you dont pay. This keeps rates lower for actual paying customers. We dont need to squeeze poor people, we have rich oil companies to squeeze right now.
There are plenty of Wii's to be had online @ Amazon, Super Walmart AND Gamestop... so long as you agree to purchase the "bundle" they've crafted. Any of these retailers will be glad to ship a Wii to you tomorrow if you buy 7 games, an extra controller, a nunchunk and a memory card.
1) Wait for Nex-Gen console release. 2) Sell first shipment of units in one day. 3) Hold remaning console shipments hostage unless you buy 7 games. 4) Profit!!
I did call my senator, three years ago.
Senator Brownback then proposed S.1621 to this exact same committee, which among other things: "...the Consumers, Schools, and Libraries Digital Rights Management Awareness Act of 2003 will preclude the FCC from mandating that consumer electronics, computer hardware, telecommunications networks, and any other technology that facilitates the use of digital media products, such as movies, music, or software, be built to respond to particular digital rights management technologies."
I guess they didnt like my idea.
A rich businessman decided to raise rare and endangered species on his huge ranch. They have several species that I had never seen, even at the Topeka Zoo. They have several of each type of rhino, including some born from the San Diego Zoo's breeding program & a super rare India Rhino. They house several types of elephants, giraffes, aardvaarks, ant-eaters, a pack of wild dingos, some very large tortoises, the list goes on and on.
If any place on earth has room for elephants, its here in Kansas.
Mr. Kilby returned to our hometown of Great Bend Kansas on a few occasions to speak with the children at all the schools. Working for the Park Dept in the summers between college I helped convince the city to place "Home of Noble Prize Winner Jack Kilby" signs on the highways coming into town.
You were inspiration to at least one geek in the middle of nowhere Kansas.. hats off you Jack.
Slashdot Mirror
Not only is remote disconnect incorporated into meters, but add-on collars allow us to retrofit existing meters by inserting them between the meter and socket. The list of risk items associated with remote-disconnect doesn't include "taliban attack" because it's assumed that the server controlling remote disconnects is as secure as the server that processes credit card information. We dont list it because its a standard IT delimma, not a remote disconnect specific danger.
The purpose of remote-disconnect is to quickly and effectively remove service from people who dont pay for its use, using the least amount of employees possible. Here's a newsflash for you, remote disconnect or not, if you don't pay your bill I will send a lineman to shut you off. It will be done today. We called you twice, sent the letter as required by law, probably even left a door hanger. If you are home when the lights go out, you can pay the lineman cash or check and hell be back tomorrow to turn you back on. We have to make sure your check clears, that you paid enough to be current etc.
With remote disconnect you can call the office with a cellphone as soon as the lights go out, pay with a credit card and I'll turn you back on in 10min. In addition, remote disconnect allows us to offer a new service called "pre-paid power" you pay us $100 and you can use $100 worth of electricity then you are disconnected. Remote disconnected allows us to work out a deal with your grandfather, well turn on the irrigation pivot at his farm at a time he specifies, and leave it running for as along as he can afford. He doesnt have to leave the golf course, or stop watching the grandkids to attend to watering the back 40.
The connect/disconnect fees remain, we have to pay for the phone calls, voicemails, letters, door-hangers, remote disconnect collar, bandwidth, and inside office staff that spend all day hassling you over $50. This fee is also to punish you for violating your contract with us, which stated you would require our service and pay for its use. Some outfits have lowered the fee to reflect the loss of the lineman in this chain because their pay is a considerable expense.
The "survival level" is set by a federal commission and overseen by a smaller state commission, and our lending institution's power of the purse. If we dont follow the rules on disconnect notification and survival levels we would be fined, lose our charter, or our bank would refuse to loan us operating money.
Nothing has changed here, except we turn you off faster when you dont pay. This keeps rates lower for actual paying customers. We dont need to squeeze poor people, we have rich oil companies to squeeze right now.
I have a picture, a vest made of microphones:
a ct/128/4/476S
http://meeting.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstr
This will all be great until StreamBase decides "The only way to keep the classes balanced is not to play.." and shuts all the realms down.
There are plenty of Wii's to be had online @ Amazon, Super Walmart AND Gamestop... so long as you agree to purchase the "bundle" they've crafted. Any of these retailers will be glad to ship a Wii to you tomorrow if you buy 7 games, an extra controller, a nunchunk and a memory card.
1) Wait for Nex-Gen console release.
2) Sell first shipment of units in one day.
3) Hold remaning console shipments hostage unless you buy 7 games.
4) Profit!!
I did call my senator, three years ago. Senator Brownback then proposed S.1621 to this exact same committee, which among other things: "...the Consumers, Schools, and Libraries Digital Rights Management Awareness Act of 2003 will preclude the FCC from mandating that consumer electronics, computer hardware, telecommunications networks, and any other technology that facilitates the use of digital media products, such as movies, music, or software, be built to respond to particular digital rights management technologies." I guess they didnt like my idea.
In Salina KS, not far from my home, we already have one. http://www.rollinghillswildlife.com/
A rich businessman decided to raise rare and endangered species on his huge ranch. They have several species that I had never seen, even at the Topeka Zoo. They have several of each type of rhino, including some born from the San Diego Zoo's breeding program & a super rare India Rhino. They house several types of elephants, giraffes, aardvaarks, ant-eaters, a pack of wild dingos, some very large tortoises, the list goes on and on.
If any place on earth has room for elephants, its here in Kansas.
With "n3rf t3h class x" being shouted every other post, can you describe the process you use for determining a balanced class?
Do you have a spreadsheet full of numbers you use? Is it all guestimation? Patch/Test Server/Feedback/Repeat?
n3rf t3h hord3!
Mr. Kilby returned to our hometown of Great Bend Kansas on a few occasions to speak with the children at all the schools. Working for the Park Dept in the summers between college I helped convince the city to place "Home of Noble Prize Winner Jack Kilby" signs on the highways coming into town. You were inspiration to at least one geek in the middle of nowhere Kansas.. hats off you Jack.
Here's a system req discussion at Planet Doom.
I currently read 2600 and Car & Driver. I kept up with Time and Newsweek until high school, then I realized they condensed the FUD into 15min on CNN.
There used to be a Ziff/Davis rag called Internet Underground that was entertaining - but sadly it disappeared from the stores.
The firewall listens to YOU.
I sure hope he has ports 80 & 443 forwarded.